The 2025-26 NBA season officially tips off on Tuesday, October 21, marking the beginning of another exciting year for basketball fans and daily fantasy sports (DFS) players alike. The Opening Night schedule features a concise two-game slate that promises plenty of action and intrigue. The first game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET with the Houston Rockets visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder, followed by a marquee matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET. Both games have drawn significant attention from NBA DFS enthusiasts, with over/under totals set at 227.5 for the Rockets-Thunder game and 226 for the Lakers-Warriors clash.
One of the most compelling storylines entering the season is the debut of Kevin Durant in a Rockets uniform. Durant, a perennial NBA DFS favorite, commands a high salary on daily fantasy platforms, which presents a challenge for roster construction. Fantasy players will be weighing whether to invest heavily in Durant right away or to wait and assess how he gels with his new team before committing a large portion of their salary cap to him. Durant’s arrival in Houston is expected to shake up the team’s dynamics, especially with longtime Rockets guard Fred VanVleet sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury. This absence opens the door for other players, such as Reed Sheppard or Aaron Holiday, to emerge as valuable complementary pieces in DFS lineups, potentially offering affordable options to pair alongside Durant.
For those looking to maximize their NBA DFS strategies on Opening Night, expert advice is crucial. Mike McClure, a DFS professional with over $2 million in career winnings and a predictive data engineer at SportsLine, offers detailed insights and optimal lineup recommendations. Utilizing a sophisticated prediction model that simulates every minute of every game 10,000 times, McClure incorporates matchup data, statistical trends, and injury reports to pinpoint the best DFS values on platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel. His expertise is highly sought after by DFS players aiming to gain an edge in tournaments and cash games alike.
Among McClure’s top picks for Opening Night is Luka Doncic, who now dons the Lakers jersey and carries a hefty price tag of $11,000 on DraftKings and $11,700 on FanDuel. Doncic’s first NBA Opening Night without LeBron James—who will miss time due to sciatica—puts him in a starring role. Preseason performances and his dominant showing at EuroBasket this summer, where he recorded the highest scoring average in over three decades, suggest that Doncic is primed to justify his expensive salary. Last season, Doncic averaged 28.2 points per game with the Lakers, slightly improving on his Dallas numbers. The matchup against the Warriors is particularly enticing, as his best game of the previous season came against them, posting a 45-point triple-double with 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a December showdown.
Another player McClure highlights for Tuesday’s slate is Isaiah Hartenstein of the Thunder. Priced at $5,400 on DraftKings and $5,800 on FanDuel, Hartenstein is a potential value pick thanks to his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories. Last season, Hartenstein posted career highs with 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 58.1% from the field. His motivation is heightened by the fact that Houston was his original NBA team before being released after two seasons. Hartenstein’s performances against the Rockets last year were some of his best, averaging 16 points per game versus Houston, aided by the Rockets’ defensive vulnerabilities, especially on the boards. Houston ranked in the bottom 10 in both field goal and three-point percentage last season, meaning plenty of missed shots and rebound opportunities for players like Hartenstein. While Durant’s arrival may improve the Rockets’ offense, the Thunder big man should still find ample chances to rack up rebounds and overall fantasy points.
Besides Doncic and Hartenstein, McClure’s analysis includes other strategic picks and stacks designed to optimize DFS lineups. His model identifies players with favorable matchups and upside potential, helping fantasy players balance their rosters between high-priced stars and value picks. For those interested in gaining access to McClure’s full suite of picks, rankings, and lineup advice, his recommendations are available exclusively through